As a result, several communities with large numbers of African American citizens supported their own water sport recreation centers. One of the most visible in southeastern Michigan was the Lucy Thurman YWCA. The accomplishments of those who participated in the Lucy Thurman YWCA swimming programs in the first half of the 20th century are especially noteworthy. By the 1990s, when Aquademics swimmers jumped into the pool, the most pernicious structures of discrimination faced by Blacks in water sports had been dismantled. Evidence of these changes was affirmed by the fast times clocked by an upcoming generation of accomplished African American swimmers, trained under the farsighted leadership of Jim Ellis, head coach of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, known in swimming circles as PDR. Further, a number of metropolitan swim teams with a majority of African American swimmers were expanding their reach into urban communities and sending their record-breaking and qualifying time swimmers to state, national and international events. Among them were teams from Atlanta, Detroit, Baltimore, St. Louis, Washington, DC. Aquademics in the Water The Ann Arbor YMCA was Aquademics' first pool. The founding team included four girls and two boys ranging in age from nine to fourteen. When the Aquademics team became too big for one lane instruction, the team obtained practice time at the Eastern Michigan University (EMU) pool, through the good offices of the EMU women's swimming coach. This was a temporary solution however, given the demands and expenses of training at a university facility. By 1993, Aquademics moved into its "home" pool at Clague Middle School. The Aquademics team decided on team colors of black and gold. After the group purchased its first practice fins, swimming lessons, training and competitions with other local clubs followed. By 1993, the 'Aquademicsmobile,' a donated van, took Aquademics swimmers all over southeastern Michigan, accompanied by a caravan of family and friend supporters. Rival teams included: University Liggett School, Ypsilanti Otters, Detroit Northside Seacolts and the Detroit Recreational Center. Aquademics was honored with the 1994 Award for its service to community youth by the Friends of the C.O.P.E. O'Brien Center for Youth Development, a group offering a wide range of treatment and counselling services to young people in Washtenaw County. A few months before receiving this award, in February 1994, the Aquademics team and families travelled to and competed in the Black History Invitational, then in its eighth year. The BHI,